What is my ECP Score?

A few days ago, I found out my ECP score is 204. It took me a little while to figure out exactly what that means, and I found it at Earth Lab. (You might visit the site to find out how the calculator works, too.)

Your ECP is scaleable scored representation of your unique personal earth conservation profile developed by EarthLab. EarthLab’s ECP score works to calculate your present personal emission, conservation, lifestyle, and intent variables into a single number. Your unique ECP number is a number derived from a robust and unique testing vehicle which employs leading edge data and benefits from a comparable dynamic localized system.

The ECP score is calculated by using scoring models and mathematical tables that assign points for different pieces of information which best illustrate your current position. Developing these models involves a concurrent study of how others internationally, nationally, and locally, are approaching earth conservation. Score-model developers have constructed a system that will allow individuals to dynamically work within their profile and benefit from constantly assessing their overall effect on the earth we live upon. Once an account is established - and an initial score is assigned - EarthLab will begin to provide account holders with additional tools and assessment vehicles in an effort to assist and educate toward finding way to lower or maintain their score. ECP overall scoring data and select variables will be assessed on concurrent basis to provide individuals with a greater understanding of how their score compares with others in the world around them. ECP scores analyze and consider numerous factors such as:

Your initial ECP score is based upon basic categories related to home, energy, work, commute, travel, and lifestyle. Below is a breakdown of the different parts of the ECP:

-Your Carbon Output
-Your Lifestyle Habits
-Your Pledges/Intended Actions
-Educational/Supportive Opportunities

How your carbon output score is calculated
The first step in calculating your carbon output score is for the calculator to load variables found within your geographic position. Upon inputting selected variables the scoring will begin to automatically reflect an estimate for a person in your unique geographical area. It is important to note that this score reflects YOUR individual score – and not that of your family or household in general. As such, you will be asked to enter in how many people live in your household. As you move on, you will have the ability to enter the information from your energy bills, information about your vehicle, and information about your air travel. In doing so, the earlier estimate will be replaced by a custom score, bases upon your real variables placed within parameters described in the next section. Beginning with an average allows you to input as much information as you have handy and still get a good picture of your actual impact, even if you don’t have all of your bills or other information handy. Just enter in what you know, save your profile, and come back later to make your calculation and score more precise.

What all of this means is that I have to be mindful of my carbon footprint, of what I am leaving behind in the world, on the globe, for the younger generations to inherit. A great quotation that I've cited before is the one by Fernandez, about how we no longer inherit the earth from the older generations but we are stealing it from our children. That, my friends, is something worth calculating.